Ranakpur Jain Temple

About

Ranakpur Jain Temple, also called Chaturmukha Dharana Vihara, is a famous Jain temple in the Pali district of Rajasthan, India. It is in the small village of Ranakpur, not far from Sadri town. The spectacular architecture, elaborate carvings, and cultural significance of this shrine to the Tirthankara Rishabhanatha have earned it widespread acclaim. It is a symbol of India’s cultural richness and artistic prowess.

Did you know?

Darna Shah, a prosperous local Jain merchant, had a vision that led him to build the temple in the 15th century. The “Gorwad Panch Tirth,” which includes the Ranakpur Jain Temple, comprises five of the most important Jain shrines in the world. Thousands of people labored for decades to build this temple. It is well-known for its 1444 marble pillars, all uniquely carved. There is a pillar in the temple that has never been completed because tradition has it; it collapses every time it is built.

Deities

Chaumukha Adinatha, an idol of the Tirthankara Adinatha with four faces, is the primary deity in the Ranakpur Jain Temple. Several other depictions of Jain deities, including a magnificent idol of Parshvanatha with 1008 serpent heads, can be found inside the temple as well.

Location

The Pali district of Rajasthan, India, is home to the Ranakpur Jain Temple, which may be found in the little town of Ranakpur, not far from the larger city of Sadri. Its location in the midst of a verdant forest only adds to its allure.

Cultural & Economic Impact

The temple is an excellent example of India’s rich architectural history. Pilgrims and sightseers now visit this historic site because of its cultural and religious significance. Numerous locals depend on tourism for their income, so its economic effects are significant.

Festivals

Although the Ranakpur Jain Temple is an important religious landmark, there are no special celebrations that take place there. However, during major Jain holidays such as Mahavir Jayanti, many devotees make the pilgrimage to the temple to worship and seek blessings.

Facts

Dharna Shah had a dream in which he saw a celestial chariot that inspired the temple’s distinctive Nalini-Gulma Vimana style. It is a primary Jain pilgrimage site and a part of the five-temple complex known as the Gorwad Panch Tirth.
The 84 bhonyra (subterranean chambers) were constructed to store and safeguard sacred Jain artifacts.
Other Jain temples in India, such as the Pittalhar temple in Dilwara and the Palitana temple complex, were modeled after the design of the Ranakpur Jain Temple.

Frequently Asked Questions { FAQs }

Who built the Jain Temple of Ranakpur?

In the 15th century, a local Jain businessman named Darna Shah established the Ranakpur Jain Temple.

What is the temple's primary god?

Chaumukha Adinatha, a four-headed statue of the Tirthankara Adinatha, is the primary deity.

What does the incomplete pillar symbolize?

There is a fascinating mystery around the unfinished pillar because legend has it that it crumbles each time it is built.

What are the rules at the Jain Temple in Ranakpur?

Shorts and bare shoulders are not allowed within the temple.